John Casey Bücher

For students and writers alike, a brilliant guide to the craft of writing by the National Book Award-winning author of Spartina.

"By the time we pulled in to the parking lot of Wilson Automotive, I had plenty of time to ponder the fact that that I was following an old pal who had the personality of a Scottish clan chief from the seventeenth century, bent on physical contact with knuckle dragging rednecks, that I'd be involved in it, and that on my own, I don't experience much conflict." Ed Wakefiled attempts to live quietly in Fort Smith, Arkansas as he ponders his recent divorce and searches for his niche in the world of work. Unaware perhaps that he is drawn to people whose lives are disorderly or dramatic, and feeling compelled to maintain some loyalty or connection to them, disruptive events consequently shatter his tranquility and force him to make decisions as he struggles with uncertainty. Four stories by an Arkansas writer

Set against the backdrop of a bioweapon crisis in the Middle East, the story follows Dolan, who has returned to Boston to heal after his previous mission. When the Agency seeks his expertise to combat a deadly virus claiming thousands of lives, Dolan is determined to operate on his own terms. As he navigates the complexities of international terrorism and personal recovery, the stakes are higher than ever.

The story follows Michael Dolan, a former special operations pilot turned Pentagon staffer, who is recruited by the CIA to thwart imminent terrorist attacks in Europe. As he takes on a deep-cover assignment in OPERATION EXCISE, Dolan grapples with internal struggles that challenge his stoic perfectionism. The narrative explores themes of personal demons and the complexities of duty in the face of external threats.